My Houzz: A Stylishly Renovated Houseboat in London’s Docklands
A working transport boat from the 1920s has been lovingly restored and reinvented as a bright, cleverly designed home in the city
Built in 1924, this transport boat had a busy working life throughout the 1920s and 1930s, ferrying steel and coal along the UKs waterways. However, as times changed, there became less need for transport boats and, in the intervening 80 years, “Beecliffe” changed hands several times before being discovered by Gary Marshall, founder of beauty brand Anatomicals. “It had lots of heart – it just needed its soul bringing back,” he says. So he set about restoring it to its former glory while also creating a warm and welcoming home.
Beecliffe is a traditional Humber Keel boat and, as the name suggests, it was originally built for working in the shallow waters along the Humber.
When Gary Marshall found Beecliffe in 2015, it was looking slightly sorry for itself, after changing hands several times. “It needed a new lease of life both inside and out,” he says.
The Fifty Eight sofa, vintage G Plan. Wire Supplement side table, Pols Potten. Jieldé floor lamp; Block table lamp by Harri Koskinen (on floor), both available at Made In Design. Storm cushions, Hem.
When Gary Marshall found Beecliffe in 2015, it was looking slightly sorry for itself, after changing hands several times. “It needed a new lease of life both inside and out,” he says.
The Fifty Eight sofa, vintage G Plan. Wire Supplement side table, Pols Potten. Jieldé floor lamp; Block table lamp by Harri Koskinen (on floor), both available at Made In Design. Storm cushions, Hem.
The interior of the boat was initially a network of small rooms, so Marshall started the redesign by opening up the interior and reconfiguring it to create an open-plan living space.
With an internal area of 92 sq m, the layout needed to be carefully designed. “There were too many small, badly divided rooms from a much earlier refit that had closed the boat in and made it seem dark, old-fashioned and tired,” says Marshall. “I wanted to create a modern, light and comfortable living space fit for 2016, while still retaining elements of the boat’s history. I also wanted the interior to have an element of surprise.”
Bespoke cube shelving, Goodingham Brothers.
With an internal area of 92 sq m, the layout needed to be carefully designed. “There were too many small, badly divided rooms from a much earlier refit that had closed the boat in and made it seem dark, old-fashioned and tired,” says Marshall. “I wanted to create a modern, light and comfortable living space fit for 2016, while still retaining elements of the boat’s history. I also wanted the interior to have an element of surprise.”
Bespoke cube shelving, Goodingham Brothers.
Marshall describes his style as “a mixture of traditional nautical mixed with Scandi chic” and this refined and pared-back aesthetic is apparent throughout the interior.
“I started off by creating a very precise mood board of the inspirations and styles I wanted,” he explains. “That way, there was no confusion or mistakes through the refit.”
Wax Block Installations artwork, Jo Chapman.
Take a tour of a restored train carriage holiday home
“I started off by creating a very precise mood board of the inspirations and styles I wanted,” he explains. “That way, there was no confusion or mistakes through the refit.”
Wax Block Installations artwork, Jo Chapman.
Take a tour of a restored train carriage holiday home
Currently the director of beauty brand Anatomicals, Marshall is a creative at heart; he was previously an art director in advertising and now has his eye on further interior design challenges. “Having previously designed my brother’s flat in an old biscuit factory in Bethnal Green and now the boat, I’d love the opportunity to get involved in more projects,” he says.
Vintage 1960s Greaves & Thomas Egg chair; reupholstered in Bute fabric.
Vintage 1960s Greaves & Thomas Egg chair; reupholstered in Bute fabric.
Marshall worked closely with woodworkers and furniture-makers Goodingham Brothers on the refit. “They are amazingly talented,” he says. As well as designing the staircase, they also custom-built many other sections of the boat (detailed later on), plus all the interior panelling.
Bespoke staircase, Goodingham Brothers.
Read expert advice on how to make more of your staircase
Bespoke staircase, Goodingham Brothers.
Read expert advice on how to make more of your staircase
A before photo of the main living area of the boat shows the transformation.
In the main living space, an original 1920s Godin wood-burning stove sits in pride of place. “It became a firm friend to myself and Sniff during the chilly months of January and February,” says Marshall.
See how to choose and install a wood-burning stove
See how to choose and install a wood-burning stove
A slim galley kitchen tucks along one wall of the open-plan living area. This was built bespoke by Goodingham brothers.
Kaico Japanese enamel kettle, available from Twentytwentyone.
Leading off the kitchen is the master bedroom with an en suite bathroom accessed through a submarine-style door. Up a small set of steps in one corner is a cosy “crash pad” area stocked with cushions and throws.
A rich grey feature wall, large artwork and thick rug underfoot add warmth and character to the space.
Solid rug in Denim, Linie Design. Cement and wood desk lamp by Dacha Archjananun for Thinkk Studio, available at Made In Design. Glossy white Ringo laundry basket, Ekobo Home.
Solid rug in Denim, Linie Design. Cement and wood desk lamp by Dacha Archjananun for Thinkk Studio, available at Made In Design. Glossy white Ringo laundry basket, Ekobo Home.
A slim, bespoke desk has been fitted on the opposite wall to the bed, making the most of the natural light flooding in through the porthole.
Bespoke desk, Goodingham Brothers. Restored vintage Benchair dining chair; reupholstered in Abraham Moon fabric. Cement wall clock, Wild & Wood.
Bespoke desk, Goodingham Brothers. Restored vintage Benchair dining chair; reupholstered in Abraham Moon fabric. Cement wall clock, Wild & Wood.
The crash pad is a clever use of an awkward space and, with a skylight above and a porthole to gaze out of, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the river views.
Maze blanket in Curry, Ferm Living. Eclectic cushion in Denim, Hay. Zoeppritz Gunny cushion in Blue, Amara.
Maze blanket in Curry, Ferm Living. Eclectic cushion in Denim, Hay. Zoeppritz Gunny cushion in Blue, Amara.
The adjoining bathroom has also undergone a total transformation. “The complete replumbing and reworking of the electrics was quite a challenge,” says Marshall. “Boats are a completely different beast to apartments on dry land, especially when it comes to how bathrooms and toilets function.”
Directly below the wheelhouse are the crew’s berths, where those operating and sailing the boat and transporting goods in the 1920s would have slept.
These snug beds have now been turned into unique guest quarters. “They are very charming and a real nod to the previous working life of the boat,” says Marshall.
White and grey small kilim rug, Ferm Living.
These snug beds have now been turned into unique guest quarters. “They are very charming and a real nod to the previous working life of the boat,” says Marshall.
White and grey small kilim rug, Ferm Living.
Contemporary wall hooks and artwork add character and storage to the sleeping berth.
Small Gym hook wall rings by Hay, available at Made In Design.
Small Gym hook wall rings by Hay, available at Made In Design.
Perfect for a sunny day, the deck has plenty of space for guests. Marshall removed “years of rubbish” to create a deck and outside entertaining area that comes into its own when the sun shines.
Lyra table and chairs, Made. Galet round concrete garden stool, Habitat. Skien outdoor rug in celery and white, available from Cuckooland. Bespoke deck cushions, Edwards Upholstery.
Lyra table and chairs, Made. Galet round concrete garden stool, Habitat. Skien outdoor rug in celery and white, available from Cuckooland. Bespoke deck cushions, Edwards Upholstery.
The wheelhouse has commanding views and a comfy bench seat.
“I love the contrast of a calm and tranquil marina with the dramatic towering buildings of the financial centre of the UK as a backdrop,” says Marshall.
After eight-and-a-half months of hard renovation work, the boat was completed in January this year, ready for a new chapter in its life.
TELL US…
What do you think of this converted boat? Let us know in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this converted boat? Let us know in the Comments below.
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Owner Gary Marshall, director of beauty brand Anatomicals, and his 3-year-old terrier, Sniff.
Location Poplar Dock Marina, Canary Wharf, east London
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms; 19m long x 5m wide
That’s interesting “Beecliffe” is a Humber Keel transport boat dating from 1924
Photographs Chris Snook
Brunel table and benches, Heal’s. Dipped terracotta pendant light, Hand&Eye Studio. Block kilim rug, Ferm Living. Hemp footstool in Grey/Natural, House Doctor.